To identify wanted criminals, facial recognition technology deployed at Jantar Mantar: Police sources

Four facial recognition system (FRS) units have been installed around the protest site at Jantar Mantar to identify wanted criminals, absconders and historysheeters, police sources said on Friday.

The surveillance system is not for ordinary protesters but is meant to identify those with criminal antecedents who may try to "infiltrate the protest" and disturb law and order, they said.

The FRS units have been positioned at key entry and exit points around the protest venue and are linked to the Delhi Police database.


The system is being monitored in real time by the officers, enabling them to instantly verify the identity of any wanted criminal, bad character, or a historysheeter, the sources said.

"The objective is to ensure that people with criminal backgrounds do not exploit the protest to create law and order issues. The system is connected with the Delhi Police database and can identify wanted criminals, absconders, historysheeters and Bad Characters (BCs) whose details already exist in police records," a source said.

According to the police officer, the FRS constitutes high-resolution cameras capable of capturing facial images even from a distance.

"Once a face is captured, it is quickly matched with the police database. If a wanted or absconding accused is detected, the concerned police unit is immediately alerted and legal action can be initiated without delay," he said.

The police said the technology will also help identify habitual offenders who have repeatedly figured in criminal cases and are listed as "bad characters" in Delhi Police records.

"The deployment acts as both a preventive and investigative tool. It helps us remain alert against anti-social elements who may try to infiltrate the protest and create nuisance or disturb law and order," another officer said.

This is not the first time Delhi Police has deployed FRS cameras.

The force earlier installed them across the city during Republic Day, Independence Day, Holi, Diwali, Eid, Ramlila and during several other occasions as part of its security arrangements.